D-Coil: A Hands-on Approach to Digital 3D Models Design
3D CAD editors are sophisticated tools that empower professionals to design complex 3D digital models. However, these professional tools introduce implicit design concepts and steep learning curves for novices to create even a simple 3D digital model. We explore new techniques to allow a novice to create 3D digital models without learning complex CAD modeling concepts.
Drawing inspiration from traditional hands-on clay coiling activity, we propose D-Coil: a novel digital 3D modeling approach using wax coiling to bring tangibility to the design of digital models.
After defining a shape to extrude, the users follow the lead of a hand-held actuated extruder to instantiate the actual extrusion using wax. The tangibility of the wax extrusion sets the stage to create the next components until the digital model is completed. The digital model affords all digital attributes (ease of transformation, distribution, and 3D printing), while the wax artifact can be discarded or kept as a one-of-a-kind memento.
We present a proof-of-concept implementation of D-Coil and showcase how this additive approach can also be extended to a subtractive process using a digitally actuated cutter. By adding a 6DOF mouse, users can also include scaling, rotation, and bending effects to create a wide variety of shapes often difficult for novices to produce in standard CAD software.
Created by:
Huaishu Peng, Amit Zoran, François Guimbretière
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